Emerging Leaders Institute

Emerging Leaders Institute programs conducted by the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities help middle school and high school students understand how stereotypes, bigotry, and prejudice can negatively affect their schools. These programs also provide participants with tools to develop their own student-led follow-up action plans. Programs can be designed to focus on a specific area of interest that a school wishes to address or can provide opportunities to broadly consider inclusion, prejudice, and leadership. In all cases, participants leave with enhanced skills in conflict resolution, coalition building, group facilitation, and diversity management. Students return to their schools with the ability to shape a community based on inclusion, respect, and understanding.